CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ACT A GUIDE TO MINNESOTA's PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF

A GUIDE TO MINNESOTA's
CHILD LABOR
STANDARDS ACT
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF
CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ACT
CONTACT INFORMATION
An employer that fails to comply with
provisions of the Minnesota Child Labor
Standards Act will be subject to penalties
under Minnesota Statutes §181A.12.
Penalties range in amount from $250 to $5,000
for each violation.
Notice: This brochure is a brief summary of Minnesota
child labor laws and is intended as a guide. It is not to be
considered a substitute for Minnesota statutes and rules.
Department of Labor and Industry
Labor Standards
443 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4306
Phone: (651) 284-5005
Toll-free:1-800-342-5354
Fax:
(651) 284-5740
[email protected]
www.dli.mn.gov/LaborLaw.asp
This document can be provided in different forms, such as large print,
Braille or audio, by calling (651) 284-5005.
Version 1112
CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ACT
MINORS UNDER 16 MAY NOT WORK 16- and 17-YEAR OLDS MAY NOT WORK
STATE LAW (all employers)
• Before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. with the
exception of a newspaper carrier
• For more than 40 hours a week or more
than eight hours per 24-hour period, except
in agricultural operations
• During school hours on school days
without an employment certificate issued
by the appropriate school officials
STATE LAW (all employers)
• Later than 11 p.m. on evenings before
school days or before 5 a.m. on school days.
With written permission from a parent or
guardian, these hours may be expanded to
11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.
sales or revenue of $500,000 or more)
– later than 7 p.m.;
– more than three hours a day; or
– more than 18 hours a week.
Note: If employers are covered by state and
federal requirements, both laws must be
followed.
MINIMUM AGE
A minor younger than 14 years of age may not be employed, except:
• as a newspaper carrier, if at least 11 years of age;
• in agriculture, if at least 12 years of age and with parent or guardian consent;
• as an actor or model; or
• as a youth athletic program referee, if at least 11 years of age and with parent or
guardian consent.
PROOF OF AGE
Minors are prohibited from working in the
following capacities:
• serving liquor;
• working with hazardous materials such
as explosives;
• operating power-driven machinery,
including motor vehicles; and
• on or about construction sites.
A detailed list of prohibited work for minors
can be found in Minnesota Rules 5200.0910
and 5200.0920.
FEDERAL LAW (employers with annual
• During the school year:
PROHIBITED
OCCUPATIONS FOR MINORS
A minor's proof of age must be maintained as part of the payroll records.
Acceptable proof is one of the following: a copy of a birth certificate; a copy of a
driver’s license or permit; an age certificate issued by the school; or an I-9.
EXCEPTIONS TO PROHIBITED
OCCUPATIONS MAY EXIST FOR:
17-year-old high school graduates and
minors employed by a business that is solely
owned and daily supervised by the minor's
parents.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF
CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ACT
An employer that fails to comply with
provisions of the Minnesota Child Labor
Standards Act will be subject to penalties
under Minnesota Statutes §181A.12.
Penalties range in amount from $250 to
$5,000 per violation.